Part 2
Over the next few days Antara and the rest of the gang became good friends with Simmi. She had become a part of the group. Antara liked her too except for when she was flirting with Raghu. Simmi had also decided to attend college with them to see what life was like in India. They were both standing by the door waiting for Raghu who was yet to come out of the house beside's Antara. He always drove them to college. Good Morning, Raghu said walking to his car, his voice alluring. Antara couldn't tell if he was doing it on purpose or not. How are you today? He asked as Antara and Simmi walked to his car. Good, Simmi answered, Nervous she added. Don't worry, everyone will love you, Raghu said sweetly. Antara pinched his arm and raised her eyebrows in a what-the-hell way. Raghu just shrugged, biting back a smile. I hope so. She bit her lip and looked up at Raghu, who gave her an encouraging smile. She smiled back, looking dazzled. Antara knew that no one could resist that smile, his eyes got all happy. She didn't blame Simmi for falling for that. Rukhsana was watching Antara's face carefully and she seemed pleased about Antara's reaction for some reason.
Antara sat in the front of the car with Raghu while Simmi and Rukhsana sat at the back. The car ride to college seeed unusually long to Antara today. Um'where is the main office? Simmi asked shyly. I'll take you there, Raghu volunteered. Antara narrowed his eyes at him. Thanks, Raghu, Simmi said, fluttering her eyelashes slightly. The two of them walked off towards the office, their shoulders almost touching. Antara turned to Rukhsana, who was smiling at her face. Will you look at them? Kaise flirt kar rahe hai. Aur Raghu thoda zyada helpful nahi ban raha hai. Antara said causing Rukhsana to giggle. What? Antara asked her, frustrated. I'm just excited, she said. About what? Tum aur Raghu ek doosre se pyaar karte ho. And you two are this close to getting together, she said, holding her index finger and thumb less than a centimeter apart as proof. Antara rolled my eyes. Tum un dono se kitna jal rahi ho! Admit it, tum Raghu ko pyaar karti ho. I'm not jealous! Mujhe bas ajeeb lag raha hai. She is my cousin and he is my best friend. For the first time in her life Antara didn't feel right calling Raghu just her "best friend". Sure Antara Lekin jab tum finally realize karoge ki tum Raghu se pyaar karti ho mujhe phone kar dena. Meri Rajveer ki saath bet lagi hai ki tum is saal ke khatam hone se pehle realize kar logi ki tum Raghu se pyaar karti ho. The deadline is coming up soon, she said. Sure Rukhsana, Antara said, her voice dripping sarcasm. I'll call and tell you the moment I fall in love with Raghu pagal ladki. No, you're already in love, Rukhsana corrected, her voice completely serious, shaking her head slightly. Just call me when you figure that out. Whatever Rukhsana. I rolled my eyes again. Simmi and Raghu were making their way back over to us. He was smiling Antara's special crooked grin and she was giggling. Antara wanted to punch them both in the face, but she held it back. Antara, Raghu said we were in a lot of the same classes! He is too, Simmi exclaimed. She hugged Antara quickly and Antara felt immediately guilty about wanting to hit her earlier.
That's great, she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. We're not in the same class, but do you want me to show you where your room is? Raghu asked her softly. Yes, Simmi breathed. The two of them walked away, chattering about classes, leaving a furious Antara and a smug Rukhsana behind. Remember to call me, Rukhsana sang as Antara went to class. She growled under my breath and ignored her.
That afternoon, Antara got a ride home from Rajveer. She couldn't stand to be in the car with Raghu and Simmi. All throughout the day all they did was flirt. Flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt! It was ridiculous. Thought Antara. Rukhsana was still watching Antara with that same smug expression, like she expected Antara to throw herself at Raghu's knees and declare her love for him. Not gonna happen. Because I don't love him. Well I do, but like a friend. Thanks again Rajveer, Antara said. No problem Antu. He smiled at me, then looked both ways before adding, Kya tum thode din aur wait kar sakti ho?... Antara looked at him confused. Before you admit your love to Raghu? Bas 4 more weeks. Mein yeh bet harna nahi chahta. Please? Goodbye Rajveer, Antara snapped pushing him out of the way and entering her house. At that moment her phone rang. What? I answered. Someone's dukhi, she said cheerfully. Raghu aur mein tumhare ghar a rahen hai, Okay Rukhsana. She hung up quickly, rolling her eyes as she made her way to the door.
Hello Antara, Rukhsana said when Antara opened the door. Simmi's eyes were filled with worry and concern and Raghu's were filled with some unidentifiable emotion. Long time no see, Antara noted sourly. Rukhsana smiled and ran to see Machmach.. Well Simmi invited us over. Where did you disappear to after school? Raghu asked. He sounded slightly annoyed, but there was something else. Something Antara couldn't quite place. I got a ride with Rajveer, Why? Because'I don't know. Well we'd better get going, Rukhsana said skipping back into the room. Right. Well I guess I'll see you both later, Raghu said, nodding towards me and Simmi. His eyes met Antara and they were smoldering. A sudden, irresistible urge to kiss him overwhelmed Antara. She had to grip the sofa to keep herself from jumping at him. Bye, she breathed. Rukhsana's face was suddenly overcome by a hundred watt smile. Bye! she sang. And don't forget to call me when your realize Antara, She winked at her once before grabbing Raghu's arm and pulling him from the house.
Later on at night Antara was still in a foul mood, because Raghu didn't call her. Well he did and then he asked to talk to Simmi. Antara pulled on her pajamas and climbed into bed. Goodnight Simmi yawned. Night Simmi, she replied. Antara finally let herself think freely. And almost as soon as she did, the tears started flowing. She had to admit to herself that she was jealous of Raghu and Simmi. She didn't want him to get a girlfriend, especially not her cousin. Her mind skimmed over the countless memories of Raghu. Laughing and holding hands when we were kids. Dancing with him, crying with him. Everything with Raghu was special. Even more recently, when he gave her her favorite necklace, when he let me sleep in the same bed as him and helped take care of me when I was sick. Raghu was always there for me. He was her best friend, my protector, my savior. No matter what.
Her mind conjured up a magnificent picture of him. His deep brown eyes, smoldering with love and care. His lips, curved into her special crooked smile. His perfectly muscular body and angular features. His hand, warm and strong in hers, his arm around her waist, the heat of his skin on hers. Even the way his lips felt against her cheeks, her forehead. He was so devastatingly handsome, caring and kind. She had to admit to herself something she had denied for years. She is in love with Raghu Naik.
She sighed loudly and stood up, grabbing her cell phone as she headed for the bathroom, to get privacy. Where are you going Arohi? Simmi asked groggily. I promised Rukhsana I'd call her, she grumbled. Antara, Rukhsana answered, her voice eager and excited. She knew why Antara was calling. Antara took a breath as she prepared to say the four words that would open the floodgates and unleash the full wrath of Rukhsana's excitement and smugness. Rukhsana, you were right. AHHH!, Rukhsana screamed. Antara jumped about a mile in the air, holding the phone arms length away from her head. She could still hear Rukhsana perfectly though "I KNEW IT I WAS SO RIGHT! YOU LOVE RAGHU! I TOLD YOU SO!" she squealed. Rukhsana was beaming and jumping up and down on her bed in excitement. Rukhsana, Chup kar ja. Raghu sun le ga!, Antara screamed. BUT I WAS RIGHT she squeaked. You totally love him. I knew it. I completely knew it. Yes, Ruku you were right. Mein tumhe aakar medal doo? Nope. Rajveer 2 mahino ke liye mera personal gulam hai. Mere liye itna hi kafi hai. Rajveer bahut dhuki hoga. Antara mumbled. Rukhsana giggled. Yes but that doesn't matter, all that matters is that tumhe finally pata chal gaya ki tum mere bhai se pyaar karti ho. Bhabhi Just imagine. Kuch dino mein tum meri hone wali bhabbi ban jao gi." Antara shushed her again. So tum Raghu ko kab batane wali ho? she asked excitedly. Tell him? Antara gasped. Yes'usko to batana hi padega na, agar nahi batao gi toh tum dono ki shaadi kaise hogi. Woh to pehle si hi pagal sa shy ladka hai.
No! He'he sees me like a sister! Agar mein usko bata doonge I'll ruin our whole friendship, Antara explained. She could feel tears stinging her eyes, but she kept the pain out of her voice. Mostly Antara Tum dono ek doosre ke liye perfect ho. Dono hi pagal or unobservant. He's been in love with you for ages! Woh toh sirf tumhari wait kar raha hai, ki kab Ms. Antara Kaul realize karege ki woh usse pyaar karti hai. Usne aisa kaha? Antara asked skeptically, wishing it could be true. Well'not exactly. Lekin sach to yehi hai na. Have you ever seen the way he looks at you? Have you ever wondered why everyone just assumes you're together when they first meet you? Kyunki tum dono ko dekh kar hi pata lag jata ki tum dono mein Kitni Mohabbat Hai. Rukhsana, no. Mein'mein usko bata doonge' eventually. Maybe. But abhi nahi. Antara's voice was sad and hurt. No, You'll tell him now. Raghu, PHONE she called. Antara gasped.
"Ruku, no! Stop! Don't Antara began, but Raghu's silky smooth voice cut her off. Hello? he answered curiously. Uh'hi, Antara said awkwardly. Antara, Yeah. Her breath was coming in gasps and she was mortified. She had no idea what to say. Tum theek ho? I'm fine! Just fine. Her voice was slightly hysterical. Raghu seemed to notice. Are you sure Antara? Mein do minute mai aaya he said. Nahi Raghu, mein theek hoon. Waise bhi mein abhi sone lagi hoon. Good Night. She hung up and whispered the words she should have realized long ago. "I love you Raghu"
Sorry for the Font error guys, actually mera laptop marne key stage pe agaya hai to mere laptop ko maf kar deyna 😆
Edited by Roy.nikki143 - 11 years ago